“We were open to different options, China as much as France. He could not see himself playing for another English team other than Arsenal.

“Since the approach from Marseille last season, the notion of returning to Ligue 1 entered his thinking. It was a genuine possibility.”

Laurent Koscielny is undoubtedly coming towards the end of his Arsenal career. The Gunners’ captain has been a fine player but at 33 years old, isn’t going to be able to perform at his level for much longer.